Anyone here could refer me for a PM job? I am a software engineer + MBA but having a hard time convincing people to hire me. I network a lot and always hear from hiring managers that I have an impressive background with lots of accomplishments but they want someone experienced. No one wants to try a new PM :( I have even seen some job descriptions that wanted 2-3 years of PM experience for an associate role. Any tips to land my first full-time gig would also be appreciated.
Switch inside your existing company or become a PM at another startup which wants your domain knowledge. Then switch to a larger company, if that’s what you’re looking for. Btw, I wouldn’t recommend switching to a PM from SWE. They earn less than SWEs in most of the larger cos.
What have you done to prepare to be a PM?
A PM internship at a billion dollar startup, product consulting projects with couple of big name organizations and writing a book on products too. All while in school.
Ok. I would do a few things, then: 1. It’s easier to get a PM role when you are already a PM. Go find a mentor in your own company that is in product management or a product leader. Express interest in transitioning when they feel you are ready and there is an opening, share with them what you already know, and ask what they think you can be doing to prepare. Be humble and enthusiastic. See if you can shadow or assist the PM you work with. If you can’t get the role you want outside your company this is your backup plan to get there so you can have the role on your resume already when you apply. 2. Above and beyond what your mentor recommends, learn as much as you can in your free time. Read books, articles and attend relevant conferences if possible. The role keeps evolving and improving and even current PMs need to do this to be consistently good at what they do. 3. Tailor your resume and cover letters to demonstrate experience and learnings gained that directly apply to the roles you want. However, don’t ignore things that you did in other roles that seem like they don’t apply to PM because pretty much everything does. Most PMs don’t start out as PMs, they do something else before that and it gives you good experience to draw from because you have to interact with pretty much every area of the business. 4. Keep applying. Sometimes you just have to be better than the rest of the applicants and you may win out at some point without already being a PM.
would you consider an associate PM position if it was at a good company?
In a heartbeat haha
OP is despo af
Would you consider coming to Oracle (OCI specifically)?
What’s the PM comp like in OCI?
Yeah. Cloud is very interesting!
Are you at a top b-school or just a random b-school?
Low shit school duh, if he were from a good school, he wouldn't be begging for a referral here
If you came from a top b school you should've made the switch during school, it's a golden opportunity to make the jump At this point your best bet is to move within your company, do whatever you can to build your skills and spin your experiences as PM-like and then sell yourself hard through internal connections. Once you get a couple of years under your belt you'll be fine though.
Are you still in B school? I'm a 2nd year MBA and going into PM as well!
Blind is all about Leet-nerd-zombies. Get a real world mentor for PM questions.